A healthy Alvarez remains at Indy
“Pedro remains a big part of our future, but we believe making this move is the best way to get him back on track offensively and defensively so that he can help us win games at the Major League level,” said General Manager Neal Huntington.
The Pirates are sending a clear signal with this decision. They are focused on making the playoffs this season and are not going to simply run Alvarez out there everyday if they do not feel he is the best option at third base. Whether that is the smart strategy remains to be seen, but it further emphasizes a shift in organizational philosophy away from a purely futuristic mindset.
It will be interesting to see what happens over the next three weeks or so. If Alvarez finds his stroke in Indianapolis, the Pirates are unlikely to keep him in Triple-A too long. However, this also opens the door for Huntington to add a third baseman via trade. The Pirates have received little production from anyone playing the hot corner this season, so it would not take much to upgrade substantially.
Alvarez, who received a major league contract right out of college, is now out of options. EDIT: Just to clarify, Alvarez’s final option will only be used if he spends at least 20 days in the minors.
July 9, 2011 at 7:09 pm
I think you may be jumping the gun on the message sending.
By optioning Alvarez, he will be able to gain a full week of extra abs, since the AAA all star game isn’t the same thime as the mlb all star game.
July 9, 2011 at 8:44 pm
I could have worded that better. I didn’t really mean that the team is sending a message to Alvarez. Just that they are sending a clear signal about their mindset right now.
July 9, 2011 at 7:23 pm
Marc I think you are right. Once Alvarez appears to be in playing shape, he will be back. But I like Matt Bandi’s point that the Bucs are not just going to run him out there because they hope he can do it. Meanwhile, we are a SMALL-BALL team, and Harrison, with his speed and contact hitting fit nicely they way we play offense right now. What a FUN season! Go Buccos!
Twitter: battlingbucs
July 9, 2011 at 7:55 pm
Any chace they try Alvarez a few games at 1B during this stint in the minors?
July 9, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Can’t believe they burned his last option. To me, that indicates a decision to leave him at Indy…maybe while he gets some time at 1st. Hague can also play 3rd, right?
Speculation other places Pirates may be trading for a 3rd sacker. Reynolds, a strike out king, and Ramirez, who has a no trade contract, are being mentioned the most. Anyone you guys can think of? Young, with Texas, comes to my mind.
July 9, 2011 at 10:08 pm
I edited the original post. If he is down less than 20 days, they do not need to use an option.
July 9, 2011 at 9:51 pm
He doesn’t need anymore distractions. Let him concentrate on hitting before they start moving him to different positions. Right now his bat is more valuable than his glove.
July 9, 2011 at 10:08 pm
They had until july 17 to make this move. Why do it now ???
July 9, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Good move to get him some more AB.
I have said it before but if he doesn’t start producing than he can be safely declared a bust with the Pirates. That doesn’t mean he won’t flourish somewhere else like Bautista. But with this organization possibly not.
Let him play thru the break and see what happens. But keep some eyes on the market and see what type of talent can be had.
July 9, 2011 at 11:52 pm
I disagree completely…he’s been in the majors for less than a year. Were you ready to proclaim Warren Morris as a lock to be a regular? Did you think Jack Wilson was a bust when he was stuggling and sent down in his first year?
Lets give Pedro a little more time, shall we?
July 10, 2011 at 2:30 am
Pedro was one of the most productive hitters in the big leagues the last two months of the season last year. Yes he has struggled this year, but way way way to early talk about getting rid of him.
July 10, 2011 at 12:48 am
Dehn/Marc (sorry….couldn’t resist the pairing).
I have not been in Kdro’s corner since the beginning. I think he has too many holes and will be LUCKY to hit .240-.250 with 20+ HRs in the majors.
However, that being said, as a Pirate fan, I hope I am completely wrong.
July 10, 2011 at 2:25 am
He could be a bust, a middle-of-the-road player or a superstar, but labelling him anything with a year of mlb service is just absurd.
July 10, 2011 at 11:56 am
I ‘love’ strong words like ‘absurd’. Marc, I don’t believe I labeled him at all (btw, only 1 ‘l’).
RIGHT NOW, Kdro has too many holes in his swing to live up to his #2 status. THAT is not absurd. More than a few scouts have pointed that out. I ain’t smart enough to come up with that on my own.
July 10, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Based on his first 472 at bats in the majors, he projects to .244 with 22 HR and 92 RBI over a full season.
July 10, 2011 at 5:52 pm
And that same ‘projection’ gives him almost 200 K’s. Hence the nickname K-dro.
Those stats aren’t what I wanted out of the #2 pick in the draft.
=================
On another tangent, I hope G Cole turns out great, but wouldn’t it have been nice if Bryce Harper had stayed in HS? We’d have gotten to pick him #1.
July 10, 2011 at 6:27 pm
22 HR and nearly 100 RBI is something you DON’T want from a rookie?
In Buster Posey’s first 160 games, he hit 22 HR and 88 RBI. Imagine how disappointed the Giants are that he turned out to be such a bust too.
July 10, 2011 at 7:37 pm
Ok…….I’ll take Posey. You can have Kdro.
:=]
July 10, 2011 at 7:43 pm
And, of course, Posey hit .294, K’d only 90 times and played above average at Catcher.
You’re right, I’ll take that at Catcher (and as a rookie).
Just so we don’t end up doing this all week. I am clearly stating an opinion, as you are. You are using stats and forming an opinion. I am using stats and some scouts’ opinions. It’s ALL opinions.
As a Pirate fan, I HOPE I AM WRONG!
:-]
July 10, 2011 at 4:17 am
ARAMIS!
for Bobby Hill??
July 10, 2011 at 4:26 am
Can you explain the option situation? I thought players had three options. I don’t recall them optioning him before now, so wouldn’t this be his first? Or is there a different situation when a player gets a MLB contract?
July 10, 2011 at 12:14 pm
This on Alvarez, from Huntington on PA’s swing and his options.
” But Huntington said the Pirates’ often narcoleptic offense — they
rank 12th in the National League in runs and 13th in homers — is
“irrelevant” to the timetable for Alvarez’s return.
“The league has adjusted to Pedro, and he needs to adjust back,”
Huntington said. “When he drives the ball to left-center field, he’s
dangerous. But when (his swing) is too big, he’s an easy out.”
If Alvarez, who received a major league contract after being drafted
second overall in 2008, spends more than 20 days with Indianapolis, he
will have used his third minor league option.
Normally, players are limited to three options. But Alvarez should be
eligible for a special fourth option next year because he will have
used three options before completing his fifth full professional season.
Read more: Pirates’ Alvarez return detours through Indy – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/pirates/s_746082.html#ixzz1RhhhHWOu